Japan Consumer Confidence

Japan: Consumer confidence worsens in June

July 10, 2012

In June, the seasonally adjusted consumer confidence index fell to 40.4 points, undershooting market expectations that had consumer sentiment remaining unchanged at May's 40.7 points. The consumer confidence index measures consumer expectations over the next six months, with a value of 100 points indicating that all respondents see their living standards improving. The monthly drop mainly reflected a steep fall in job conditions and, to a lesser than extent, in income growth. On the other hand, the overall livelihood sub-component was unchanged from the previous month's result, while the willingness to buy durable goods improved to a 19-month high. Owning to the deterioration observed in June, the Cabinet Office downgraded its assessment, saying that consumer sentiment turned largely flat.

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Japan Economic News

Nominal yen-denominated exports increased 12.2% year-on-year in January, accelerating from December’s 9.3% rise and coming in above market expectations of 9.4% growth.
January’s increase was driven by solid growth in exports of machinery and electrical machinery, followed by exports of chemicals, manufactured goods and transport equipment, all of which accelerated sharply relative to December’s readings.